H.S. Football: Haley and Bonner have no trouble with McDevitt
Published: Saturday, September 17, 2011
By KEV HUNTER
khunter@journalregister.com
LOWER GWYNEDD — One of the few things that went Lansdale Catholic’s way in the first half Saturday night was Monsignor Bonner’s missed extra point.
The Friars did just about everything else right in building a 34-0 lead and then cruising — well, rather sprinting — to a 54-22 victory on the turf at Wissahickon High School.
Bonner dominated the line of scrimmage and also showcased its speed in earning a lopsided victory in a Philadelphia Catholic League non-division matchup.
“Quite frankly, I didn’t anticipate that — they were quick, there’s no question,” LC coach Jim Algeo said of the Friars’ breakaway speed. “I just thought we had chances to make tackles and we didn’t make them — I thought our tackling was very poor.”
The guy the Crusaders (0-3) had the most trouble bringing down was running back Abraham Jaward, who was in for injured starter Ismir Gibson (hamstring). Jaward rushed for 108 yards and scored touchdowns three different ways — a run, a reception and a 70-yard punt return to open the scoring just three minutes into the contest.
“He just played exceptional,” Friars coach Tom Oropeza said.
Speedy quarterback James Haley also provided plenty of trouble for LC, as he threw for 149 yards and ran for 52. His seven-yard touchdown run doubled the Bonner lead to 14-0 early.
The Friars’ Kyle Dawson broke away for a 73-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, making it 20-0, and Haley’s 45-yard score on another run made it 27-0.
While LC’s first six possessions consisted of four punts and two turnovers, Bonner was nearly flawless.
“We had a very tough week of practice, and I thought our focus going into this game was right where it needed to be,” Oropeza said. “I think it showed in the first half ... The defense played tremendous and did a really good job of handling their option.”
Haley’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Eric Womack extended the margin to 34-0, and then the Crusaders broke the shutout with just eight seconds left in the first half when Tyler Smith ran in from two yards out. Zach Talley then caught the two-point conversion pass from Pat Schoenberger to make it 34-8 at the break.
“Finally we settled down a little offensively and showed we could move the ball, but defensively, it was very disappointing,” Algeo said.
Bonner played several second-teamers in the second half, as both squads found the end zone multiple times. Jaward’s two scores and Malik Jones’ 61-yard run accounted for the Friars’ second-half points, and LC got touchdowns from Kevin Sabo (six-yard run) and Tom Gibbons (11-yard reception).
Sabo rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries for LC before leaving the game on a stretcher in the fourth quarter — his injury was believed to be a concussion.
Bonner (2-1) next faces La Salle at home Saturday, while LC seeks its first win with a trip to Pennridge (0-3) Friday evening
Ramirez leads the way for Bonner over Lansdale Catholic
September 19, 2011|BY TED SILARY, silaryt@phillynews.com
IF YOU put a football in Tyler Ramirez' hands, don't expect him to keep it.
He won't try to rumble for several yards. Won't try to whip it downfield. Won't even beg for the kicking block with the hope of nailing a PAT.
The 6-foot, 295-pound Ramirez, a senior guard and defensive tackle for Monsignor Bonner High, has never dreamed of playing a so-called skill position. In fact, getting such an opportunity would pretty much resemble a nightmare.
"I love what I do. No need to do anything else," Ramirez said. "Games are won on the offensive line."
Saturday night, in a non-league game at Wissahickon High, Ramirez and his fellow gruntsiteers were dominant as the Friars swamped Lansdale Catholic, 54-22. Bonner exploded for 438 yards on just 42 plays (10.4-yard average) and four of its drives required just eight plays total - two apiece of one and three.
Such dominance was achieved despite the absence of injured top rusher Ismir Gibson, who served as a ballboy and took ribbing all night, especially from fill-in Abraham Jaward, about never getting his job back.
Jaward ran eight times for 106 yards and one touchdown. After turning his first touch, on a punt return, into a 78-yard score, that is. Quarterback Jim Haley posted scores of 8 and 45 yards on his only two rushing chances while passing 8-for-15 for 149 yards and one six-pointer apiece to Jaward and Eric Womack.
"There can't be any excuses," Ramirez said. "No matter who's out there, we have to play how we play and do our best. If Ismir's not there, we have to block harder for who is.
"We had a comfortable feeling going in. The way Lansdale sets up their defense, well, that was perfect for how our o-line blocks."
Joining forces with Ramirez were center Dom DiGalbo, guard Josh LaMarra, tackles Tom Murtha and Angelo Masorli and tight end Joe Haley, Jim's brother.
"The guys appreciate our blocks," Ramirez said. "They love what we do for them and, hey, we love what they do for us. I'm good friends with all of them. In the huddle, it's always, 'C-mon, we need you guys,' and we always love coming through for them."
Recently, he needed to do likewise for his family.
Tyler lives with his mom, Ana, and sisters, Arielle and Ashley, in Drexel Hill. That's a new location, folks.
"We used to be in Upper Darby," he said. "I like to say it's right around the corner, though not really.
"We moved during training camp. So that was a hectic 3 days, lots of lifting, moving furniture, packing and unpacking boxes, plus with the football stuff mixed in. We rented a U-Haul truck. I helped my mom and sisters get situated in their rooms, then they did the same for me."
Arielle and Ashley are older than Tyler, by the way.
"They pick on me a little," he cracked.
Ramirez, who's also a shot-putter, has received preliminary interest from schools on all football levels. He'd like to major in business. Already he knows that pushing people out of the way is nowhere close to minor.
"With the guys up front, that's where it starts," he said.
